Welcome to the Baptist Assembly 

Reflections on the previous year from General Secretary Lynn Green and outgoing President Steve Finamore, an update on Project Violet, the treasurers' report and administrative resolutions all featured in the opening session of the Baptist Assembly on Saturday afternoon

This year's Assembly weekend at the Bethel Convention Centre in West Bromwich featured a 24 hour mission conference led by BMS World Mission, which took place from Friday afternoon to Saturday lunchtime. The Baptist Assembly programme then began with a packed session Saturday afternoon entitled 'Welcome to Baptist Assembly'. 

Lynn offered a short reflection as General Secretary from the previous 12 months, in which she outlined three highlights  - read those reflections here. 

She also thanked and prayed for Steve Finamore, whose presidency has now ended. Steve had been inducted into the role in Telford in May 2024. 

Lynn emphasised Steve's theme with its twin focus on scripture and nurturing the next generation of leaders, his participation in the wider life of our Union, including Council and the Core Leadership Team, and representing us more widely at the Cenotaph and other gatherings. 'We want to thank you for all you give to our Baptist family, and to bless you,' Lynn said

Steve also shared his own thoughts on the last year, which can be read here. 



Lynn told delegates there were no presidential nominations for 2025-26, meaning there is no President for the next 12 months. Alex Afriyie, minister of London Network Church (East Acton Baptist), has been elected President for 2026-27, and will be inducted into the role at the Baptist Assembly in Harrogate, 2026. 




Project Violet update

A minute's silence was held to conclude a season of lament instigated following the conclusion of the research phase of Project Violet.

Project Violet is named after Violet Hedger, the first Baptist woman to be college trained for ordination.

This three and a half year Project has investigated women’s experiences in ministry. The fruit of this research was presented to Baptist Union Council in October 2024 and included 57 requests for change and the Commitments to Action that had been pledged from across Baptists Together in response.

Council shared in prayers of lament for the pain and obstacles experienced by women in ministry, including the loss of God given leadership across Baptist churches that the research had discovered. Council members approved a resolution calling all parts of Baptists Together into a season of lament from that Council until Assembly 2025.

'Our season of lament has been expressed through local, regional and our national prayer gatherings and we bring that lament together here today,' said Lynn.
 
She expressed thanks for all involved in the Project, which she said had received both academic and international acclaim. This included Project co-leads Jane Day and Helen Cameron and administrative support Angie Bryant, the project's co-researchers and Associations, Colleges, churches, ministers, Specialist Teams and other groups who have participated.

'What this research has revealed is that we need a culture change across Baptists Together that is expressed in systemic change across our Union and its members,' said Lynn. The project's requests offer specific detail, but they reveal three particular themes, she continued:

Firstly, we need to be looking out for and encouraging women who have a sense of call. Careful listening, supportive exploration and discernment, adaptive formation and consistent and just settlement are all important, together with the opportunity to see and experience positive role models.

Secondly, more reflection is needed on the types of ministry women engage in and the particular barriers that they might face in local church, as pioneers, chaplains and in trans local roles. And more research and theological reflection are requested on bi-vocational ministry and on if and how we hold complementarian and egalitarian theologies together in the same space.

Thirdly, the research has shown that taken-for-granted ways of working can disadvantage women, particularly when they were designed without women’s input. Our ways of working as Baptists Together need to create space for everyone to feel included and listened to and provide opportunities for everyone to shape meeting culture and processes appropriately.

Lynn also praised the support of male allies 'which continues to be key', and that a Project Violet Outcomes Co-ordinator has been appointed - a 2 year project role to deliver the requests for change relating to the Specialist Teams and help co-ordinate and monitor the actions of our member organisations.

Lynn concluded, 'So, while we continue to lament what has been, we look to the future with hope celebrating the blessing of the women ministers in our midst, and praying that Baptist Together will flourish as a movement that nurtures and celebrates women and men together, made in the image of God and called into His purposes, so that He will be more fully witnessed in the world.' 


Treasurers' report

Baptist Union Treasurer Mohan Pandian gave a short presentation. Total Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB)income has reduced from £5.45m to £5.25m, essentially due to reduced subscription income and reduced Home Mission appeal. This was partially offset by a higher surplus from the Baptist Union Corporation. 
‘The decline of Home Mission is a concern,’ said Mohan. 

BUGB expenditure increased from £5.36m to £5.8m. This increase was due to a variety of reasons, said Mohan, many out of our control such as rising inflation, insurance costs and legal costs. Our reserves have grown due to the sale of a property and the revaluation of investments.

The Retired Baptist Ministers Housing Organisation (RBMHO) owns a total of 250 properties, all of which are fully occupied. During 2024, housing was provided to 6 new retirees, with 7 new properties added and 20 sold during the year. A programme of refurbishment is ongoing. 

The coming year will see the continuing implementation of the Financial Model Review. 

The focus on finance all relates to the growing of the Kingdom, said Mohan. ‘Money is one of our resources, along with time and prayer – and we need to use it wisely.’

Administrative resolutions

Two administrative resolutions were put before Assembly delegates. 

The first was to affirm the appointment of Mohan Pandian as Treasurer of BUGB for the year to Assembly 2026.

The second was to affirm the appointment of Peter King as Moderator of the BUGB Trustee Board for the year to Assembly 2026.

Both were unanimously carried.

Peter is succeeding Andrew Cowley as trustee board moderator, and Lynn expressed her 'heartfelt thanks' to Andrew. 'We pray God’s blessing as he approaches retirement and looks forward to a new season of life,' she said.